Seeking opinions on which choke to get

[The_Pretender]

I have a pump shotgun that I currently use for all my bird hunting (dove, turkey, pheasant), and with lack of options, I use it for clay birds.

It came with 3 chokes- IC, Mod, Full.

I use full for turkey, and modified for everything else. I recently got to thinking about it all, and after looking at a few choke charts, I see the IC would be good for sporting clays, so I am going to try it out this coming Thursday. However, since I am now looking at my options, I am wondering if one more open choke would be good to have.

I was thinking of going with Cylinder over skeet. It seems that skeet and IC are pretty similar past 20 yards, especially after 25. Figured if I was going to get skeet it was to open up quick inside 20 yards. So why not go cylinder and have a bigger cloud?

What do you think?

 

[ArmedBear]

I've shot cylinder, skeet and more-open-than-cylinder Beretta skeet.

Can't say I can tell the difference when I'm shooting.

 

[chas08]

I'd go skeet, you're into an area where a little means a lot. There's a reason that choke is named skeet. But for an average of $15 a choke for most low end pumps, why not spend a little cash and buy an imp/mod, skeet, and cyl and have all bases covered. Keep in mind that this is coming from a guy that shoots a modified choke at everything...(LOL)

 

[huntsman]

you got what is needed

 

[Loyalist Dave]

If you want to try something else I'd get skeet, AND..., turkey, though chas08 has an interesting idea of getting a 'tween' choke to try. FYI they've done wonders with turkey chokes making them tighter than "full". IMHO "cylinder" works for HD and if you want to shoot the non sabot style of rifled slugs.

LD

 

[oneounceload]

Here's a chart showing basic choke designations and constrictions. If you have never patterned your current chokes, you really don't know what you have. You're hoping that the designation matches the expected performance - that is not always the case - it could be off by as much as one choke designation.

http://www.hallowellco.com/choke_chart.htm

Given what you have and assuming they are true, I voted for skeet - it's nice for close or incoming clays

 

[gotgcoalman]

I shoot skeet choke using an auto with a 30" barrel.

What you have to remember is the shot will spread quickly so if all targets are close say 20_30 yards you're on to a winner.

Further out say 35_50 yards holes appear in the pattern and a clay can pass through without being broken even though you are "on target"

 

[Dave McCracken]

What's the mission?

 

[throdgrain]

I think you've already got the chokes you need to be honest.

 

[The_Pretender]

Thanks for the input all.

The mission was a good choke for any type of shot inside 25 yards on clay birds, be it trap, skeet or sporting clay. Just thought maybe since it was so close would cylinder be better.

 

[throdgrain]

1/4 choke (you guys call it IC!) will do for anything in my honest opinion!

 

[Dave McCracken]

When I purchased the aftermarket set of chokes for the Beretta, I specified a Cylinder choke among the choices. It works well out to maybe 28 yards or so with my tight patterning reloads.If you''re using bulk pack ammo, you may want something a trifle tighter.

 

[The_Pretender]

Yeah, I've been using modified...

Don't know if that has made me a better shot, or just hindered my chances, but I've had good days and bad.

I've swapped to IC for now, gonna test it out Thursday and see how it goes. I don't really want to change out chokes each station, but I figure between IC and Mod I should be ok.